Beauty Within

“No… it’s not that.”

“Then what is it? Because I really can’t deal with this.”

You’re completely welcome. What good is a girl’s restroom if you’re not going to tell everyone else how pretty they are, you know?

“I mean, I’m pretty sure that’s not their main purpose, but it works as well.”

“Don’t be a creep Gyps, you know what I mean…” She was forced to abandon their conversation momentarily as she came face to face with the woman at the counter. “Hi! Can I have a pumpkin spice latte please, a big one. Thanks. Yeah, it’s Rosie, thank you.” Moving over she let Gypsy speak to the barista before continuing their conversation. “I mean, that I am equally, well not equally, you’re my best friend, I’m very fond of you both and I am very happy.” Rosie paused for a moment considering her comments on Sid. “Well yeah…I think you’re a bit invested though. Like he’s allowed to be happy Gyps, I mean you have Tom so it only makes sense he’s carrying someone else’s bags.” She took care to use the same analogy her friend had used though they both knew her issue wasn’t her lack of a shopping partner. 

Gypsy ordered her drink and the two girls moved to the side of the counter.  “I mean, yeah, of course I want him to be happy.  I do.  It’s just for some reason i get this horrid sick feeling in my stomach when I think about it.  I’ve never quite felt it before but I’m quite sure it’s a feeling that I don’t like.”  The redhead picked at one of her nails, trying to grasp at the thoughts running through her head.  “Besides, as much as I like Tom, which is a lot, the boy needs to learn to carry my shopping bags.”

“But doesn’t that count as responding?”

“Um.. sure.  We’ll go with that.”

Thanks could work. I mean I was just complimenting your outfit… It really is lovely

“Then thanks, I suppose.”

“I have to be weird about it.” Rosie said with an amused grin. “Tuck and Roll are like my adopted brothers, actually you know the amount of times they shout at each other in Hungarian and I break them up it’s like I’m their mom if I’m honest…” her voice trailed off for a moment as she mulled it over, taking a brief moment to look over at the menu though it was pointless as she got the same thing every time she ever came here. “…that doesn’t matter though, I’m getting pumpkin spice by the way, I’m super excited for you and I love you and I love that you and Tom are a couple and it makes me feel happy. It’s like my two adopted kids found love! Which is a bit Cersei and Jamie but who cares!”

“Please don’t compare me and Tom to siblings.  That’s super creepy and weird and I don’t like it at all.”  Gypsy quickly surveyed the menu.  “Iced Green Tea Lemonade with Peach.  Per Usual.  Rex is like the bachelor though.  If he’s not with some girl or another, I’m astonished.  Sid is supposed to be an anti-people person.  He’s not supposed to fall for oth- for girls.  Especially not such perky ones.  He’s supposed to be available. To carry my shopping bags, I mean.”

Rosie’s mouth opened widely, her mouth turned up into a surprised though admittedly shocked grin. “Tom. Tom as in Tuck. As in Tuck and Roll. As in my boys!” Opening the door to the Starbucks, she swung on the handle, grinning and, scrunching her nose in excitement. “My ship! It has sailed across the narrow sea and I am in love! You guys are super sweet and I love it. Duh about Manny though, he should just grow a pair and tell you how he feels. I’m totally over that whole drama.”

“Yes, Tom as in Tuck as in Tuck and Roll.  I told you you should have answered Skype.” Gypsy joined the long line and swiveled toward her best friend.  “Oh no, no.  You are not going to be weird about this. It’s just a thing that’s happening and you’re not going to be weird about it.  Also, Manny doesn’t feel anything, he’s just peeved I can’t sleep with him whenever he wants.”

Biting her lip, she frowned. “I know I’m sorry, my computer was in for service, my hardrive broke and my mom and dad refused to lend me the cash, I had to work for it and it was $130. It was not pretty. I’m sorry though and I love you.” She couldn’t help but laugh a little as they turned the corner. “Girl please, you’re Manny’s common law wife essentially and you’ve got a boyfriend and you’re effectively dating another guy. I mean go hell for leather I’m all for being empowering but it wouldn’t surprise me if Manny hasn’t tried to make any of the guys disappear if you catch my drift.”

“I forgive you and I love you too.”  Gypsy sighed and shook her head slightly.  “Manny’s just posessive.  At least Tom was straight up like I don’t want us to fuck other people.  Manny would never want that, he just wants me to do whatever he wants.  And apparently that does not include being Tom’s girlfriend.  And the other.... I’m not dating him.  He’s ignoring me or something.  Stupid perky fashionista girl.”

Rosie remained silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing slowly at the strawberry blonde in front of her. What was not confusing about that? In all honesty Gypsy’s entire life confused her but she was her best friend so for the sake of their friendship and indeed the entreatment value that Gypsy’s circus of a life brought with it, she tried her best to keep up. “Okay, so I went home to help my mom with the bar while my dad was sick and then you become the bachelorette. Seems legit. You’re going to have to buy me a coffee and talk me through this. I’d suggest something stronger but even I have limits.”

Gypsy rolled her eyes and linked her arm with her best friend’s.  “Fine, coffee it is.”  She started leading the brunette out and to the Starbucks around the corner.  “You know, if you’d answered anyone one of my numerous Skype calls, this wouldn’t be so confusing.  Besides, I’m not the bachelorette, I’m in a committed relationship.”

Manny chuckled and grabbed it down for her. “There ya go, shortie.”

“Don’t call me that.  Thank you.  Do you want waffles? I’ve wanted waffles all day.”

“I have no idea about what’s going on…at all. Like you know that meme of that cat and he’s internally screaming? That’s me because I’m confused.”

“I have a boyfriend.  He’s hot and sweet and really good in bed.  Apparently also in love with me.  And I think kind of mad at me because I didn’t tell him I loved him and also because I live with a different guy.  And speaking of that guy I think that he’s mad at me because I have a boyfriend, which doesn’t make sense, right?  And then there’s another guy who keeps standing up our hang out dates to get it on with some fashionista which really pisses me off, but I don’t know why.   Keep up, Ro.  I don’t get what’s confusing about that.”